Trust Us: The Perfect Halloween Costume Is Already in Your Closet

Halloween is coming up and you don't have a costume prepared because you're too lazy/strapped for time/plain old unmotivated to custom-create your own. It's OK, been there. But there is a solution to keep you from being a party-pooping, non-costume-wearing buzzkill at your Halloween bash (seriously, not cool) because chances are you already have all the ingredients for a pop-culture-perfect, life-of-the-party costume already in your closet. (And if you don't have all the pieces, not to worry—there's a cheat sheet provided.) Check it out:

*Feather pillow insert, $10, crateandbarrel.com; Coast Vara hatinator, £49, houseoffraser.co.uk; Samuji nude pink pima coat, $680, avenue32.com; Middleton doll, $100, fao.com: L.K. Bennett sledge patent platform pumps, $345, shopbop.com*Because we all want to be the Duchess of Cambridge, even if just a little bit. First, I'm guessing you already have a dress-like coat in your wardrobe, especially considering this time, this time, and this time Kate made coat dresses a thing. Since the Duchess is expecting royal baby number two, you'll have to fake a bump with a throw pillow insert from your living room. The nude L.K. Bennett platform pumps are kind of a no-brainer, but I had to put that on the list, just in case. As for the headwear, you might have to cheat a little bit and buy a fascinator-like hat at your local thrift shop or try fastening a flower onto a headband (hey, DIY chic). And, lastly, grab your kid's least terrifying little boy doll (good luck with that, by the way) or borrow a friend's to play the requisite role of Prince George. Bonus points if you find a doll sporting overalls.

There's an extra reason why this "costume" is so awesome—it seamlessly transitions from the office right to the Halloween par-tay (hey, October 31 falls on a Friday this year). So wear your winter-white pantsuit into work and carry your best power-CEO bag—just like Olivia does—and done. Plus, you'll have free license to drink as much red wine as you want all night. Or as an alternative, you could dig out those beat-up Uggs, grab your most worn-in bathrobe, and pick up a fifth of vodka to go as Mellie.

Remember that one time Miley Cyrus wore ice cream cone pasties instead of a top to a Fashion Week party? Now, hold the phone—I'm not suggesting that you go shirtless to your Halloween engagements (but if you want to, you do you, girl). As an alternative, just fake it with a nude-color tank top! Then either get crafty and DIY some delicious frozen dessert shapes with some printer paper, scissors, and gel pens (or cheat a little and order a couple of stickers online) and secure those babies on the tank with tape. Then, twist up your hair with '90s-esque mini hair clips (you know you still have them, or borrow your daughter's), and wear your craziest cat-eye sunglasses from summer. As for the bottoms, make like Miley and go with black skinny jeans and sneakers. But I have a feeling that no one will be looking at your shoes.

So you guys all know the Taylor Swift/Becky meme by now, right? (If not, Leah has the primer.) Start with an old yellow baby tee that's gathering dust somewhere and improvise the "no its becky" text (and resist the urge to add in that missing apostrophe) with a trusty Sharpie. To re-create the entire Tay Swift outfit, bring back your plaid miniskirt from the '90s (or recycle part of your old Gogo Yubari costume or just wear the throwback mini that, yes, you bought recently) and accessorize with black ankle boots and a surprisingly affordable top-handle bag. And to be meticulously accurate with your Taylor Swift portrayal, walk around all night carrying the purse this way.

Which Halloween idea do you like best? Do you have any of these already in your closet? What/who are you dressing up as for Halloween?